"Roku 3 introduces thoughtful new features that customers will love," said founder and CEO Anthony Wood. "The intuitive new interface makes it easy to find movies and shows quickly while the private listening mode is perfect for late-night streamers who don’t want to wake up the family."

In addition to the headphone jack, volume buttons on the remote allow the user to control the audio while private listening mode is in use. The new remote also doubles as a motion-sensing controller for playing games like Angry Birds Space. Even more, there's an Android and iOS app that transforms a phone or tablet into "the ultimate Roku command center".

As for the new interface, Roku said it will also be rolled out as a free update to all current-generation Roku devices including the Roku LT, Roku HD 2500R, Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD, Roku 2 XS and the Roku Streaming Stick. "Roku’s new interface maintains the simplicity that Roku is known for, while providing improved access to channels," the company added. "And the fully integrated Roku Channel Store and one-stop search lets customers easily pinpoint what they want to watch – and get there instantly."

Was this known to be in the works? I don't mean just speculated either. I did catch wind of the new streaming stick but not this. Just kinda disappointed I got a Roku 2 XS for X-Mas and it is already out of date hardware. Bummer :\

As much as I used to want a Roku, I decided to get an OUYA instead.By the time I get one in, it'll do everything Roku does plus play android games, emulators and play streaming games from my pc.Now if they dropped the price sub $50 it might be worth giving a second look, but at the $99 price point the only thing Roku has going for it is a snazzy remote.

tobalazAs much as I used to want a Roku, I decided to get an OUYA instead.By the time I get one in, it'll do everything Roku does plus play android games, emulators and play streaming games from my pc.Now if they dropped the price sub $50 it might be worth giving a second look, but at the $99 price point the only thing Roku has going for it is a snazzy remote.

Ouya cost $150, you can have a roku for much less but the roku is appealing for people who don't have a smart tv, smart blu-ray player or don't want to connect the laptop every single time they want to stream something online. My biggest complain with my Roku is that it doesn't support multiple video formats like other similar devices.

lpedraja2002Ouya cost $150, you can have a roku for much less but the roku is appealing for people who don't have a smart tv, smart blu-ray player or don't want to connect the laptop every single time they want to stream something online. My biggest complain with my Roku is that it doesn't support multiple video formats like other similar devices.

For my family I would still tell them to get a Roku over an OUYA. It's purpose built for streaming and it just works. OUYA will get the job done but probably not with as much simplicity, though it can do more there is no arguing that. And when you have remotes for the cable box, tv, dvd/vhs player, and roku having that simplicity in something is a breath of fresh air. Even for me working the TV/DVD/VHS/Cable can get confusing but the Roku on the other hand is dead simple, for the others theres too many remotes and overlap in what things do.